Crash probe ‘good’ for safety

National

AIR accident investigations are conducted for the benefit of the aviation industry to ensure the same mistake is not repeated, says Minister for Civil Aviation Alfred Manase.
He said they were not conducted to shift the blame on anyone.
Manase said the outcome of any investigation was always of interest to the aviation industry because everyone learnt from those incidents to make sure the safety of passengers was secured.
He said any investigation would identify the cause and make recommendations so that a similar incident was not repeated.
“The investigation is to find the cause of the incident and correct the problem based on the recommendations.”
He said the result of the investigation was made known worldwide. It is why different groups are involved in the Chuuk investigation of the Air Niugini crash on Sept 28, including the Transport Department, Civil Aviation and Safety Authority, United States National Transport Safety Board, Boeing the aircraft manufacturer, Air Investigation Commission and others.
The preliminary report is expected to be released by the end of this month. The final report is expected to come out in six months.
Meanwhile, a memorial service was held in Port Moresby last Friday to mark the passing of seven days since the tragic accident of flight PX-073 and to express sympathy towards the passenger who lost his life.
The board, management and staff of Air Niugini with members of the diplomatic corps attended the memorial service at airline headquarters.
Prayers were offered for the passenger who died and his family, as well as the survivors, before a minute’s silence was observed.
Air Niugini staff in the Federated States of Micronesia also attended memorial events at the crash site at Chuuk Lagoon and the hospital where injured passengers are being treated.
The Governor and Lt Governor of the State of Chuuk also led the Chuukese communities in this period of silence.
Similar events were observed by all Air Niugini staff in both domestic and international offices.